The four of them standing outside of the banquet hall made an intimidating group. Ron was the tallest, his shaggy red mane peering above the rest of them. Charlie and Tonks stood together next to him, their arms linked. They were about the same height, and Tonks had made her hair match his for the occasion. Ginny was on Charlie's left, and while she wasn't sure what she physically looked like, she knew her insides were a direct contrast with the confident outward appearances of the rest of her entourage.
She knew her new dress robes were stunning, and with the help of a few simple alteration charms they fit her perfectly. Tonks had leant her some emerald jewelry that had once belonged to the 'noble and most ancient house of Black,' and then she had helped curl Ginny's hair. Everything about her appearance should have made her feel confident and beautiful, but she couldn't shake the feeling that something was going to go horribly wrong.
"Are we going to go in sometime tonight?" Ron asked impatiently. It was only then that Ginny realized they'd just been standing outside of the building for several minutes.
"You lot go on in, I need to wait out here for a bit," Tonks said, leaning over and kissing Charlie's cheek. "I'll be in soon."
"Fine by me," Ron muttered, heading for the door. "The sooner I get in the sooner I can leave."
"You'll be okay out here by yourself?" Charlie asked.
Tonks nodded. "It's sweet that you care, though."
"Well then, Ginny would you like to accompany me inside?" Charlie asked, extending his arm to Ginny.
Ginny smiled and took his arm. "Thank you."
When they were just inside the building Charlie leaned down and whispered into Ginny's ear. "You'd think it'd be bad for a bloke's ego to know that his girl could whip him in a duel, but for some reason I find it to be a turn on."
Ginny was torn between being embarrassed by her brother's over sharing of personal information and being happy just to hear him sound like he was enjoying his life. She was glad Tonks was bringing something good into his life, and Ginny could only hope that one day she'd be doing the same thing for Harry.
"As long as you don't start telling me exactly how she turns you on, I'm happy for you," Ginny teased.
Charlie looked at Ginny and suddenly looked very serious. "I love her; I want to marry her."
"So why haven't you done anything about it yet?" Ginny asked gently.
"I'm scared of losing her, too," Charlie whispered. Ginny barely heard his words, but she knew exactly how he felt. After losing so many people you loved, it was hard to want to put your heart out there again. That was part of what made Harry special; he had Ginny's heart long before she knew such loss.
"You have to take risks, Charlie," Ginny pointed out. "And not just risks that put your life on the line." Before Charlie could respond, they entered the banquet hall and were greeted by deafening music coming from the band directly to their left. "So much for talking!" Ginny shouted in Charlie's ear. She could see his shoulders shaking, but it was too loud for her to hear his laughter. She saw the tall forms of several members of the team towards the back of the hall and motioned to Charlie to head in that direction.
Charlie shook his head. "I'm going to get something to drink and look for Ron!"
Ginny nodded in agreement and they parted ways. Ginny crossed the dance floor, heading towards the team. She was grateful that the level of the volume lessened as she put some space between herself and the band. She caught Tank's eye as she approached the group.
"Well, Miss Weasley you are looking lovely tonight," Tank said.
Ginny blushed. "Thanks. You're all looking very nice as well." Tank, Wesley, and Dustin nodded their appreciation. "Where are your better halves?"
"They're all in the ladies room," Wesley explained. "You witches can't do anything alone, can you?"
"I resent that," Ginny said smiling.
"Have you seen Harry yet tonight?" Dustin asked.
"No," Ginny replied much quicker than she would have liked. "Why would I have seen Harry?"
"Because you're both supposed to be here?" Tank asked.
"Oh, well no," Ginny said again.
"You're too tense," Wesley said. He grabbed a passing waiter by the arm and grabbed a glass off of his tray. "Here, have a drink."
Ginny took the glass and took a hesitant sip. It burned going down her throat and she had to fight to keep from spitting it out. "What is this?" she asked.
Wesley shrugged. "I think they're called Wailing Witches."
"Oh yeah, I signed off on these," Ginny said. "We got them all for free because they're a new product the Three Broomsticks is trying to advertise."
"Oh look, there's Harry!" Tank said happily, pointing towards the door. Ginny looked to see Harry walking across the dance floor, his armed linked with Hermione's. He looked good enough to eat. His robes were a stunning silver, and the looked brilliant with Hermione's new violet dress robes. They looked so happy and comfortable together. Ginny put her glass to her lips and drowned the rest of it in one gulp. She couldn't help but cough as it felt like her throat was on fire. "You all right there, Ginny?" Tank asked. Ginny could only nod meekly in response. She searched around frantically for another waiter so she could get another glass. Fortunately, waiters were not on short supply. She grabbed another glass off of the nearest waiter's tray and began working on her second drink. When she walked back over to the team, Harry was standing there with Hermione. She noticed Tonks was standing close by, talking with Charlie.
"Hi Ginny," Hermione said cheerfully.
"Hello," Ginny replied, forcing a smile.
No one else seemed to notice how tense Ginny was because they were too busy looking for a drink for Harry. Dustin was the first one to be successful, and he as good as shoved the glass into Harry's hand.
"A toast to the birthday boy!" Dustin exclaimed.
"Here, here!" Wesley and Tank called. They clanked their glasses and all downed their beverages. Harry only watched them, looking highly amused.
"Now Harry, it's rude not to drink with us," Wesley chided him. Harry reluctantly took a sip of his drink. His eyes widened as the first taste went down his throat, but he didn't lower his glass until there wasn't anything left in it. All of the guys cheered and Tank went off in search of another drink.
Hermione rolled her eyes and looked at Ginny. "Boys," she muttered. Ginny chose not to comment because she herself had just finished her second drink and was eyeing the room for a third.
"Ginny!" she heard a voice call. She turned around, the room only spinning slightly when she did so, and saw Jacob and Chloe heading towards her. She quickly took another glass and took a sip before greeting them.
"Hello," she replied, not having to try nearly as hard to smile anymore. "How are you doing?"
"We're doing great," Jacob said enthusiastically.
"It's good to see you two again," Chloe added. Ginny was slightly confused by her comment until she realized that Hermione was still standing beside her.
"It's good to see you, too," Hermione said, smiling. "How are things at the Ministry?"
"They'll be a lot better once the World Cup is over," Chloe replied. "Things are so stressful right now."
"I know! I'm just getting started in my new department, and I'm already feeling overwhelmed. Things are only going to get more stressful when I get my daughter next week."
"Would you like to dance?" Ginny heard what Jacob said, but was confused as to why he was asking her.
"Me?"
"Well, these two are bound to spend the rest of the night talking about the goings on at the Ministry, and you don't look like you want to be a part of it any more than I do," Jacob explained with a grin. Ginny finished off the rest of her drink and took Jacob's arm. He led her to the dance floor where a waltz was playing. With a little bit of help from Jacob, she assumed proper dancing form and she began to follow Jacob's lead around the dance floor.
They danced for two numbers, while Ginny was managing to keep an eye on the goings on around her. She saw Chloe and Hermione seated at a table having what appeared to be a very intense conversation; Harry was sitting at a table with MJ, Tank, and Wesley, too many empty glasses spread between them for Ginny to count; Tonks and Charlie were dancing closely, looking to be having a wonderful time; Ron was standing sulkily in a corner with only a glass and a frustrated looking Jeff for company.
"Thank you for the dance, Ginny," Jacob said. Ginny was brought back from her thoughts and realized that the music had stopped playing. She looked to where the band was supposed to be, confused as to what was going on. "They're taking a break," Jacob explained, looking highly amused. "I'm going to go join the guys… are you coming?"
Ginny looked over to where Harry was sitting, and shook her head. She didn't think she could trust herself to be around him. "I'm going to go look for another drink."
Jacob looked at her like she was a small child that needed reprimanding, but didn't stop her when she went chasing after a waiter. She had happily started sipping on her fourth drink when she realized that she was standing about two feet away from Ron. She walked over to where he was standing.
"Having fun, Ron?" she asked.
"No," he replied angrily. "Mr. Perry's already cornered me and told me he expected me to be here until the end of the party and Jeff just told me the same thing."
"So why aren't you with Jeff now?" Ginny asked. Ron nodded his head in the direction of the table where the team had taken residence. "Oh," Ginny said softly when she saw Jeff at the table with Harry. It appeared that the number of empty glasses on the table had at least doubled.
"She's been over there at least three times to check on him," Ron added glumly. The thought of Harry and Hermione acting like a loving couple made Ginny finish her newest drink in one big gulp. Ron chuckled and handed her another glass.
"I stole an entire tray from a waiter," Ron explained sheepishly.
"How many have you had?" Ginny asked.
"Lost count," Ron said before taking another sip of his drink. The band began playing again, and it was causing a slight ringing in Ginny's ears.
"Ron! Ginny!"
"Here we go again," Ginny said under her breath. "Hello, Padma."
"Hey," Ron mumbled.
"You're looking good enough to eat tonight, Ron," Padma said, batting here eyelashes.
"Thanks."
"My article will be in the paper tomorrow, Ginny. Make sure you get a copy. They're going to be using it as a companion piece to the story writing up tonight's party. Colin's here somewhere taking pictures, have you seen him?" Ron and Ginny shook their heads, both feeling a little dizzy from the pace Padma was speaking. Padma put her hands on her hips and turned her focus strictly on Ron. "I do believe you've owed me a dance for at least four years now, and I don't intend on taking no as an answer."
"But…" Ron's protests were futile; Padma had taken his hand and was pulling him towards the dance floor. He shot a helpless look in Ginny's direction, but she only laughed. Ginny couldn't help but grin as she watched Ron stumble across the dance floor. It had finally felt normal to be with Ron again; regardless of the fact that they were both well are their way to being completely drunk. She couldn't help but turn her attention back to Harry. Hermione was with him again, rubbing his back, and it looked like all of the guys were assuring her that Harry was okay. Despite the lurch in her stomach at watching Harry interact with Hermione, she couldn't help but grin when MJ passed Harry another drink as soon as Hermione walked away.
A stray thought crossed Ginny's mind. She wondered if she was destined to always love Harry from afar.
"You know, beautiful women shouldn't hide in corners at big, fancy Ministry parties." Ginny felt the hot breath in her ear and she knew instantly who it was.
"Zac, what are you doing here?" Ginny asked, turning around so she could face the guy she'd once spent a Hogsmeade visit with.
"I'm a reserve on the Magpies… didn't you know?"
Ginny shook her head. "I didn't keep up with Quidditch much last year."
"How about a dance?" Zac asked, bowing to her. Ginny didn't normally believe in things like karma, but when Zac began to lead her out on the dance floor without waiting for her reply, she knew she had it coming. He held her a little closer than she preferred, but she was feeling the affects of the alcohol too much to fight him. "So how have you been doing?" he asked as he swept her across the dance floor.
"I've been better," Ginny replied honestly. She strained her neck to try and keep an eye on Harry's table while they danced. For the first time that night, she met Harry's gaze. He looked at her curiously, but before Ginny could send him any kind of signal that she wasn't enjoying herself Zac twirled her around and broke their gaze.
"I'm sorry to hear that."
"It's okay. I just can't wait for the World Cup to be over so…" Ginny cut herself off before she said something she would regret. She would have to be more careful about what she said and to whom.
"Ginny, I asked so what?" It was obvious to Ginny that it wasn't the first time Zac had asked the question, but she couldn't remember hearing him before.
"So I won't be so stressed out," she answered quickly. "I've just got a lot on my plate right now."
"Well we should go out sometime when the World Cup is over," Zac suggested. "I'd love to really catch up over lunch or something." Ginny had a vague memory of Zac asking her out several times after their one trip to Hogsmeade together, but couldn't remember exactly why she rejected him. Something about him being a little forward… something about Harry…
But right now Ginny couldn't think of a good reason to reject his offer other than Harry, so she simply nodded her head. At the thought of Harry she looked for him again, and when she saw him she was overcome with the need for another drink. "Excuse me, Zac, I need to go to the ladies room." Ginny separated herself from her dance partner and made her way to the loo. After relieving herself she headed back out in search of another drink. She took up residence again in corner she and Ron and been occupying and found their prior tray of drinks. She picked one up and began sipping on it as she surveyed the ballroom.
Harry was sitting at the same table, but now he was only accompanied by Jacob. She noted that MJ, Tank, and Wesley were on the dance floor. Hermione was sitting a few tables away from Harry, still talking with Chloe, but it didn't look like her heart was in it anymore. Ginny noticed that Hermione seemed to be staring off into the distance longingly. She tried to follow her gaze, and couldn't help but smile smugly when she realized that Hermione was staring at Ron, sitting at a table, still talking to Padma. Turning her attention away from Hermione, Ginny looked around and saw Jeff talking with Dustin and a blond man. She craned her neck to try and get a better look at the third man.
"No… it couldn't be…" she muttered under her breath. Jeff took a step to the right and gave Ginny a perfect view of the third man: Draco Malfoy. Ginny knew she was staring, but she didn't think anyone could see her in her corner. She had no idea what Malfoy could be talking to Jeff and Dustin about.
"See anything you like?" a smooth voice whispered in her ear. Ginny swore under her breath; apparently she was going to have to face many faces from her past tonight.
"Dean," Ginny said calmly, turning around to face him.
"I can't believe Malfoy got off scott free," Dean commented, following her gaze. "Apparently Draco's dad made sure he wasn't marked before he left school so they couldn't convict him of anything. Now the rumors are that he's spending all of his family's money as fast as he can. I think his latest interest has been buying a Quidditch team, which explains why he's here tonight."
Ginny was grateful for the information, but already tired of the company. "What are you doing here, Dean?"
"I was invited personally by the Minister," Dean explained coolly. "I did a painting for her family, so she owed me a favor."
"I hear your paintings are quite the rage these days," Ginny said, trying to think of a way to escape the situation. Seeing none right away, see picked up another glass and took a very big sip.
"With both the wizard and muggle worlds," Dean said cockily.
Ginny rolled her eyes. "I hear you're quite the hit with the ladies as well."
"Jealous?"
"Please."
"Just because we didn't work out the first time doesn't mean we can't give it another go," Dean said, wagging his eyebrows suggestively.
Ginny fought the urge to puke, though she wasn't sure if it was from the implication or the alcohol. "Didn't we break up because Harry separated us in a broom cupboard and he only promised not to tell Ron if you left me alone?"
"You should have just let me hex him."
"Dean, I didn't want to go into the broom cupboard with you in the first place."
Apparently Dean didn't understand what she was saying because he pulled her glass out of her hand and started pulling her towards the dance floor. "Dance with me."
"I don't want to," Ginny hissed, but she was already having trouble walking from all the alcohol she consumed and didn't have the strength to fight him. Suddenly, the room started spinning and Ginny almost collapsed, allowing him to hold her much closer on the dance floor than she liked.
Ginny looked around trying to find Harry. She tried to imagine that it was Harry gently swaying back and forth on the dance floor with her. She tried to imagine that it was Harry whispering into her ear that they should blow off the party and go back to his flat; that it was Harry's hands on her bum.
Ginny was brought back into the real world. "Dean!" she hissed. "Move your hands right now!" Ginny glanced back in Harry's direction and discovered that he was staring at them; he looked like he was about to snap. In fact, Ginny would have sworn that three of the empty glasses on Harry's table shattered at that very moment.
"So, what do you say? You want to sneak out of here? It's not like you have to pretend to be pure and innocent for your brother's sake anymore."
Ginny looked at Dean incredulously; he thought she was just pretending to be pure and innocent? She couldn't believe that his ego could fit in the room. "I think our dance is over." She stormed away from him, managing to keep her pride despite her drunken stumbling. She was so angry she wasn't paying attention to where she was going and ran right into someone's back.
"I'm so sorry," Ginny said, not realizing who she ran into.
The man slowly turned around and smiled at her maliciously. "Well, well, well. If it isn't the little Weaslette."
"Malfoy," Ginny spat.
"Trying to pretend that you are worthy like the rest of us tonight? I mean, you obviously didn't buy those robes yourself," Malfoy said. He looked her up and down, and Ginny felt very uncomfortable under his gaze. "Although, your blood is still pure enough that I might give you a go… How much do you charge these days?" Ginny was seeing red. She brought up her hand to slap him across his face, but her reactions were so dulled by the alcohol he was able to catch her hand easily. He held on to her wrist tightly, and Ginny struggled to get free.
"Let me go," Ginny growled, putting emphasis on each word.
"Typical Weasley trash to get pissed at a high profile Ministry function. Maybe I should take you home with me to teach you a proper lesson." Malfoy was looking at her with a primal hunger, and Ginny was starting to panic.
"Let her go, Malfoy." Ginny had never been more glad to hear Harry's voice in her entire life. She saw Harry grab Malfoy's arm, and she felt hers be released immediately.
Malfoy lifted the sleeve of his robe and looked at a burn mark on his forearm. He stared at Harry in shock, a raw fear behind his eyes. "What did you just do to me?"
"I didn't do anything," Harry replied coolly. "You don't treat a woman like that, regardless of who she is."
"Oh, I've heard all about your reputation with the women," Malfoy said snidely, appearing to have recovered a bit. "Is the Weaslette another one of your whores?"
This time Ginny was able to make contact with Malfoy's face when she tried to slap him. She wasn't sure if it was from the force of her slap or if Harry did something, but Malfoy suddenly starting stumbling backwards. After only a few seconds of trying to regain his balance he fell, pulling the closest person to him down with him. Unfortunately for Malfoy, that person was a waiter carrying a tray of drinks. The tray was sent flying in the air and it landed on a group of burly looking Quidditch players standing nearby. They were all drenched and looking for someone to blame. They approached Malfoy, looking ready to kill.
Ginny turned to Harry and smiled, but the look he was giving her was so intense she shivered. He discreetly grabbed her hand and began to pull her away from the crowd. Ginny hoped that the scene Malfoy had just caused was keeping the attention away from them.
Harry lead her into the very back of the ballroom; a corner that was almost completely empty and dark. It was nice to finally get some time alone with Harry, although something in the back of her mind was telling her it was wrong. She was about to thank Harry for his good timing when he backed her against the wall and crushed his lips against hers in a bruising kiss. Apparently, Ginny wasn't the only one who had been wishing they had been together all night.
Ginny immediately lost herself in the feeling of Harry's kiss. It felt like it had been so long since she had gotten to let him hold her, even though it hadn't even been a day in reality. She ran her hands through his hair, and heard Harry let out a moan of contentment. Ginny couldn't help but let out a moan of her own when Harry's mouth traveled down her neck and his hands ventured to her bum. The action wasn't nearly as revolting when it was Harry instead of Dean. Feeling daring, she let her own hands venture down to Harry's bum. She gave it a slight squeeze, and was very pleased with the reaction it got from Harry.
Harry brought his mouth back up her neck and captured her lips in another kiss. Ginny felt a slight loss when his hands began to travel up her back, and was considering moving them back down herself. She settled on retaliation, and moved her hands off his bum. She turned her head slightly so she could nibble on Harry's ear. Harry let out another moan, and pushed his body even closer towards hers. She could feel something pressing against her stomach, and couldn't help but gasp when she realized what it was. Harry silenced her gasp with his mouth and Ginny relaxed into the pure bliss she was feeling. She felt Harry's hands on her waist, traveling slowly, leaving a trail of wanting behind him. They soon reached her chest, and Ginny whimpered when they covered her breasts. She put both of her hands in Harry's soft hair, and leaned her head against the wall as Harry planted torturously light kisses on the small bit of skin showing on her chest.
"I hated seeing you dance with those prats tonight," Harry whispered before nibbling on her ear.
"I was imagining they were you," Ginny admitted, closing her eyes. "I hated not being able to be near you tonight."
"I hate dress robes right now," Harry muttered. He pulled away from her slightly, and Ginny almost fell down without him holding her up.
Ginny looked at Harry sympathetically. She knew exactly how he felt. "We could try and sneak out of here…" Ginny wasn't sure why she suggested it. It may have been left over in her mind from Dean's earlier request, it could have been her usual boldness whenever Harry was concerned, or it could have just been the alcohol talking, but Ginny really didn't care. All she knew was that she would give anything to get to be alone with Harry right then.
Harry seemed to agree with her. He took her hand and began to make his way to the exit, being careful to try and stay close to the wall and away from the crowd. Every now and then he would drop her hand when they got too close to anyone, but they made it almost half way there before running into any problems. Unfortunately, when they finally did encounter a problem, it was a very big one.
As soon as it happened, Ginny knew she should have seen it coming. She should have remembered the little back corner she and Ron and been hiding in for most of the night, but she had been so lost in the intoxicating force that was Harry she had completely forgotten. And now she would have to pay.
Harry stopped dead in his tracks, standing face to face with Ron. His body was perfectly still, and Ginny could have sworn he went into some kind of a trance. Ginny was partially shielded behind Harry, but she could still see the fury in Ron's eyes.
"What are you doing with my sister?" Ron asked, his voice cold.
Harry still seemed to be frozen in place, so Ginny decided to speak up. "We were just going to step outside so we could discuss the travel plans for Sunday." Neither Ron nor Harry seemed to hear her.
"What did I tell you about staying away from my family?"
"Ron, please just listen to me," Ginny begged. "I sought out Harry because I needed to talk to him about the team!"
"Stay out of this, Ginny. I'm mad enough with you already," Ron said, never breaking his gaze away from Harry.
"Ron, you need to calm down," Harry finally spoke up. Ginny couldn't believe how incredibly calm Harry sounded. If she couldn't see how tense his body was, she wouldn't believe he was angry at all. "You're getting upset over something you don't understand."
"I understand that you've basically ignored Hermione all night. You had the gall to steal her away from me and yet you treat her like shit. And now you're trying to seduce my little sister as well? I don't think so."
"Ron!" Ginny exclaimed, appalled at his words.
"Ron, you don't know what you're talking about," Harry said, still not losing his cool. "You've never listened when I tried to explain."
For whatever reason, Harry's last comment sent Ron over the edge. He brought his arm back and swung for Harry's face with all his might. Ginny flinched as Ron's fist connected with Harry's jaw, but Harry didn't move a muscle. Suddenly, Ron started falling backwards like Malfoy had done earlier. Harry sent Ginny an apologetic look before hurrying away.
Ginny rushed over to where Ron was now lying on the ground to make sure he was alright. He appeared to be a little woozy, but other than that nothing seemed to be wrong. While Ron tried to recover his bearings, Charlie and Padma both came hurrying over.
"Is he alright?" Padma asked.
"I think so," Ginny said quietly. Padma knelt down beside Ron and began to stroke his hair. Ginny wasn't sure how that image made her feel, but before she had time to really decipher her emotions she felt Charlie pulling her away from Ron. She looked at him curiously.
"I didn't see exactly what happened," Charlie whispered into her ear. "But Tonks went after him to make sure he was alright. I'll cover for you if you need to go talk to him."
"Thank you," Ginny whispered gratefully.
"Just promise me one thing," Charlie said, grabbing her arm to prevent her from leaving.
"I'll try."
"Promise me you know what you're getting yourself into, and you're not going to get hurt."
Ginny smiled at Charlie, touched that he was trying to look out for her. "I promise, and I'll talk to you about everything later."
"Then you better hurry up and go while Ron's occupied with the pretty reporter."
Ginny hurried out of the ballroom and began to look for Harry and Tonks. It didn't take her long to find the pair sitting on the steps outside the building. Harry's head was in his hands, and Tonks was rubbing his back in a comforting way.
"Hi," Ginny said quietly. Harry looked up and his eyes looked glassy behind his glasses; it looked like he'd been crying. Ginny sat down beside him and pulled his hand in her own. "What's wrong?"
"I hate to be the one to say this, but you can't do this here," Tonks spoke up suddenly. "Anyone could stumble upon you. If you need to talk, you can apparate over to my flat since you obviously can't go to the Burrow and the wards are too strong at Harry and Hermione's place."
Ginny looked at Harry questioningly and he nodded slightly. Ginny stood up and apparated to Tonks's flat, noting that Harry had been faster in the process.
"Harry what's wrong?" Ginny asked, leading him over to the couch to sit down. She didn't think she'd seen him so upset since before he defeated Voldemort. Seeing him look so vulnerable scared her. He refused to meet her eyes; he kept staring blankly at the wall in front of him. Ginny began to fear that he had changed his mind about wanting to be with her; that he had decided that her family was too much to deal with.
"Harry, please talk to me," Ginny pleaded.
"I lost control twice tonight," Harry whispered. He still refused to look at Ginny, and it sounded like he was speaking more to himself than her.
"You were provoked twice tonight," Ginny said, running her hand through his hair to try and calm him down.
"But I know better than to get angry; bad things happen when I get angry. I hurt people when I get angry!"
"But you didn't hurt anyone!" Ginny exclaimed. "You just made them fall down. They both deserved a lot more than that…"
"I burned Malfoy," Harry said.
"Malfoy's a git."
Harry chuckled slightly. "I shouldn't have hurt him."
"You didn't mean to."
"Exactly!" Ginny was starting to get frustrated with the circle Harry was talking in. She wanted to slap some sense into him, but her prior experiences with Harry told her she needed to let him get everything out.
"I could have hurt you," Harry said quietly.
Suddenly Ginny realized what the entire conversation was about. Harry was concerned that he would hurt her the next time he got angry at someone. She was touched that he cared that much, but she was determined not to let him push her away. She took his face in her hands so he was forced to look at her.
"How many times have you been angry with me?"
"A lot," Harry admitted.
"And have you ever hurt me?" Harry shook his head no. "And the one time you went to bed still very angry with me what happened?"
"I destroyed my bedroom," Harry replied.
"And the same night you did that you slept in my bed and didn't hurt me once," Ginny finished for him. "I don't think you could ever hurt me. Don't you remember that things are better when you're with me?"
"I couldn't live with myself if I hurt you."
"Good, because I'd probably kill you," Ginny teased. "I trust you Harry. I feel safe with you."
"Stay with me tonight. I don't want to know what would happen without you by my side to keep me calm."
Ginny didn't know if she could refuse him when he looked so desperate. She knew that staying with Harry would take a lot of lying and sneaking around, but she felt like it was something she had to do to prove to him she would always be there.
"I can't apparate to your flat," Ginny pointed out.
"We'll stay here, I know Tonks won't mind," Harry insisted.
"I'd have to go home first," Ginny said.
"So you'll do it?" When Harry's eyes sparked for the first time since his encounter with Ron, Ginny's mind was made up. She nodded her compliance. "I'll talk to Tonks while you go home," Harry said, standing up from the couch. "I'll meet you back here in a little while." Harry placed a kiss on Ginny's forehead and disapparated away.
Ginny apparated back to the Burrow, unsure of exactly what she was going to do. Her father was sitting up in the kitchen, sipping on a cup of tea and looking over an old photo album. Even though Ginny had felt much more sober since her and Harry's run in with Ron, finding herself face to face with her father made her wish she hadn't been drinking at all.
"Ginny, aren't you home a little early?" Arthur asked, looking up from his album.
"Actually, yes. There was a bit of a problem at the party… I was trying to go somewhere with Harry so we could talk, and we ran into Ron before we could safely make it out of the ballroom," Ginny admitted sheepishly.
Arthur's face paled. "Well I'm fairly certain that didn't go well."
"It honestly could have been a lot worse. But I left Ron with Charlie and Padma."
"Who?" Arthur interrupted.
Ginny shook her head. "Just a girl we went to school with, she's not important. But Harry was really upset so I went after him to make sure he was okay."
"How much does Ron know?" Arthur asked.
"Next to nothing. He said some really hurtful things, and Harry kind of lost it. The important thing is that no one was hurt, and that Ron doesn't know about Harry and me."
"You're going to have to tell him. It's more important now than ever."
Ginny shook her head. "It's just not the right time… not when Harry and I are both about to leave town."
Arthur looked like he was going to say something else when the back door opened and Charlie and Ron walked in. "Well, how was your evening?" he asked, trying to put on a cheerful expression.
Ron shot a look at Ginny that could kill. "Why were you with him?" he asked, ignoring his father's question.
"I already told you, it was purely business! It was just too loud to have a proper conversation in the ballroom. Honestly, it was the first time I had spoken to him the entire evening!" Ginny said, getting close to becoming hysterical. She didn't know what she would do if Ron didn't believe her.
"I wish he wasn't on the bloody team," Ron spat. "Actually, I wish I'd never even met him!"
"Don't say things you don't mean, son," Arthur said gently.
"I do mean it. He's made my life hell so many times, and I'm tired of it!" Ron turned his attention to Ginny. "I don't want you to see him anymore."
"Ron that's impossible! I work with him!"
Charlie put a comforting hand on Ron's shoulder. "Try to be reasonable, Ron. She can't just not see him."
"When the World Cup is over…" Ron glared at Ginny and stormed up the stairs to his bedroom.
Ginny looked at her father helplessly, on the verge of tears. She didn't know what she was going to do. She loved Harry, she knew she did, but she didn't think that anything could happen to make Ron see Harry as his friend again. She felt someone pull her into a hug, and realized her father had stood up from his place at the table.
"Why do I have a feeling there's a lot more going on here than I think?" Charlie asked.
"Because there always is," Arthur replied.
Ginny pulled away from her father's grasp and smiled at him tearfully. "I'm going to go to bed. I need my sleep before we hit the road on Sunday."
"Sweet dreams," Arthur called as Ginny made her way up the stairs.
"Good night," Charlie called.
Ginny felt slightly guilty for lying to her father and Charlie, but now she needed to be with Harry as much as he needed to be with her. Once she was in her bedroom she pulled out a small bag and threw in a nightgown and her other overnight things. She threw the bad over her shoulder and apparated back to Tonks's flat.
When she arrived, Tonks was sitting on the couch and there was no sign of Harry. "I'm sorry, I guess Harry decided just to go back home after all," Ginny said awkwardly.
Tonks smiled at her warmly. "He's in the guest bedroom. I told him I'd send you back when you arrived."
"Thanks." Ginny headed down the hall towards the guest bedroom. She smiled when she saw Harry lying on top of the bed, sleeping soundly. She shut the door quietly behind her and changed into her nightgown. She slipped into bed next to Harry and laid her head on his chest, his rhythmic breathing calming her nerves. Ginny was just about asleep when she felt Harry stir.
"Ginny?"
"Hmmm?" she replied sleepily.
"About what you said earlier… I trust you, too." Ginny drifted off to sleep that night with a smile on her face.
A/N Well, I hope you enjoyed the chapter. It did not want to be written. Thanks as always for your reviews, I love getting feedback. We're getting closer to the end, but I've just finished writing chapter 21, and we're still not the the first World Cup match. I'd be willing to bet I'm going to hit at least 30 chapters, but that's just an estimate. I'll be posting again next Sunday!